From its most basic role as the source of life to its advanced role in powering global economies, water matters. Through both the White House Action Plan as well as the 2022 U.S. Global Water Strategy, the United States is working to strengthen global, national, and local systems in a way that meets the needs of marginalized and underserved populations and builds climate resilience.
Morgana Wingard for USAID
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Mitawa is a group of 35 small villages near the Lingoni River in Malawi. Its residents suffered from droughts year after year.
In 2010, USAID introduced the community to irrigation farming to regularly supply water to their crops. An extension worker explained how irrigation farming works, and the community started looking for volunteers to build irrigation canals. Wilfred and five other men worked for three years so that their community could regularly supply water to their fields.
Six years after USAID introduced the new method to the village, Wilfred’s community was reaping the benefits of their hard work. People are able to cultivate more, send children to school, build houses and have more economic opportunities.
USAID is helping Malawians to better withstand droughts by giving them the skills and tools they need to prepare and be resilient.